Hydra

Hydra

2013 · Animation

American cartoons are the starting point for Martin Arnold's new work. Sequences of short films form the basis of a process of fragmentation, deconstruction, dismantling and repetition. Arnold uses fun, family entertainment to create films with open-ended possibilities for association. His pieces, such as Hydra (2013), Charon (2013), Nix (2013) and Self Control (2011), feature characters whose anatomy is no longer recognizable as such, but rather resemble puppets, remotely controlled from the outside. Trembling hands, dancing tongues, blinking eyes and snoring mouths move like ghosts against an abyss-like deep black background, in which bodily elements constantly disappear, only to reappear once more.

Directed by Martin Arnold

Your Rating

Make it a double feature

Hydra

20 Little Films

Both from Martin Arnold.

More from Martin ArnoldSee all →

Jeanne Marie Renée

Jeanne Marie Renée · 2002

Jeanne Marie Renée

A 12-hour installation piece comprising slowed-down footage of Renée Jeanne Falconetti in Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1928 film La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc.

Pièce touchée

Pièce touchée · 1989

Pièce touchée

Arnold's source material is a piece of footage from the 1950s, eighteen seconds long and very typical for the period. A quiet take: A living room, a woman in an armchair. Her husband opens the door, kisses her, then moves out of the picture accompanied by a camera pan, his wife follows after him. In Arnold's film the sequence takes 16 minutes. Cadre by cadre, it becomes an exciting tango of movements. But Pièce Touchée is more than just a matter of forms; The reflections, distortions and delays it displays challenge cinema's stable system of space and time.

20 Little Films

20 Little Films · 2012

20 Little Films

MovieDocumentary

Since 1995, the Viennale has invited renowned directors to create short, one-minute films as personal contributions to the festival. Ranging from home movies to political essays, musical sketches to abstract studies, these “little films” form a unique anthology of cinematic moments. 20 Little Films collects a selection of these works, premiering together for the Viennale’s 50th anniversary at the Locarno Film Festival.

Alone. Life Wastes Andy Hardy

Alone. Life Wastes Andy Hardy · 1998

Alone. Life Wastes Andy Hardy

MovieDramaMusic

In a deconstruction of classic Hollywood codes, using repetitive single frame images, the re-editing of teenager movies produces an intense Oedipal drama.

Passage à l'Acte

Passage à l'Acte · 1993

Passage à l'Acte

MovieDocumentary

An avant-garde sonic and visual re-editing of a short clip from the classic 1962 film "To Kill a Mockingbird".

Nix

American cartoons are the starting point for Martin Arnold's new work. Sequences of short films form the basis of a process of fragmentation, deconstruction, dismantling and repetition. Arnold uses fun, family entertainment to create films with open-ended possibilities for association. His pieces, such as Hydra (2013), Charon (2013), Nix (2013) and Self Control (2011), feature characters whose anatomy is no longer recognizable as such, but rather resemble puppets, remotely controlled from the outside. Trembling hands, dancing tongues, blinking eyes and snoring mouths move like ghosts against an abyss-like deep black background, in which bodily elements constantly disappear, only to reappear once more.

Charon

American cartoons are the starting point for Martin Arnold's new work. Sequences of short films form the basis of a process of fragmentation, deconstruction, dismantling and repetition. Arnold uses fun, family entertainment to create films with open-ended possibilities for association. His pieces, such as Hydra (2013), Charon (2013), Nix (2013) and Self Control (2011), feature characters whose anatomy is no longer recognizable as such, but rather resemble puppets, remotely controlled from the outside. Trembling hands, dancing tongues, blinking eyes and snoring mouths move like ghosts against an abyss-like deep black background, in which bodily elements constantly disappear, only to reappear once more.

Whistle Stop

Whistle Stop · 2014

MovieAnimationHorror

"It had to be me."

Haunted House

Haunted House · 2011

MovieHorrorAnimation

Parts of Mickey Mouse floating in a Haunted House

Tooth Eruption

Tooth Eruption · 2013

Recomposing teeth gestures.

Psycho

Martin Arnold's remake of the shower scene from Psycho. Made as a spot for the Viennale.

Self Control

Self Control · 2011

Parts of a comic strip are animated.

Full Rehearsal

Full Rehearsal · 2017

In a later group of short film loops such as Soft Palate (2010) and Whistle Stop (2014),[5] Arnold seems to discover psychoanalytic underbellies in the most popular form of post-war family entertainment, animation, and its most iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse (using two of Mickey's shorts, one of them Mickey's Delayed Date), Tom And Jerry, Daffy Duck (Draftee Daffy) and Goofy (How To Play Golf).

Shadow Cuts

Shadow Cuts · 2010

In a later group of short film loops such as Soft Palate (2010) and Whistle Stop (2014), Arnold seems to discover psychoanalytic underbellies in the most popular form of post-war family entertainment, animation, and its most iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse (using two of Mickey's shorts, one of them Mickey's Delayed Date), Tom And Jerry, Daffy Duck (Draftee Daffy) and Goofy (How To Play Golf).

In Tinseltown

In Tinseltown · 2020

color, sound, 2:14 loop, 2020

Black Holes

Black Holes · 2015

MovieHistoryAnimation

cel animation, repetition, and disappearance... color, sound, 5:20 loop, 2015

More Like This

The Lion King 1½

The Lion King 1½ · 2004

The Lion King 1½

MovieAdventureAnimation

Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog are best pals and the unsung heroes of the African savanna. This prequel to the smash Disney animated adventure takes you back -- way back -- before Simba's adventure began. You'll find out all about Timon and Pumbaa and tag along as they search for the perfect home and attempt to raise a rambunctious lion cub.

Asterix and the Big Fight

Asterix and the Big Fight · 1989

Asterix and the Big Fight

MovieFamilyAnimation

Due to an unfortunate accident involving Obelix throwing a menhir, Getafix the druid not only loses his memory, but goes completely mad. Now deprived of the wisdom of their beloved druid and the protection provided by his magic potion, the Armorican village falls prey to a proclaimed soothsayer who comes with ominous predictions and overweening ambitions. It's up to Asterix to keep his villager friends within reason and hopefully get Getafix to remember the magic potion's recipe before the impending Roman attack.

The Emperor's New Groove

The Emperor's New Groove · 2000

The Emperor's New Groove

MovieAdventureAnimation

When the self‑absorbed Emperor Kuzco is accidentally transformed into a llama, he must rely on a humble villager to survive the jungle and reclaim his throne.

Cinderella

Cinderella · 1950

MovieFamilyFantasy

Cinderella has faith her dreams of a better life will come true. With help from her loyal mice friends and a wave of her Fairy Godmother's wand, Cinderella's rags are magically turned into a glorious gown and off she goes to the Royal Ball. But when the clock strikes midnight, the spell is broken, leaving a single glass slipper... the only key to the ultimate fairy-tale ending!

Fantasia

Fantasia · 1940

MovieAnimationFamily

Walt Disney's timeless masterpiece is an extravaganza of sight and sound! See the music come to life, hear the pictures burst into song and experience the excitement that is Fantasia over and over again.

Aladdin

Aladdin · 1992

MovieAnimationFamily

In the boorish city of Agrabah, kind-hearted street urchin Aladdin and Princess Jasmine fall in love, although she can only marry a prince. He and power-hungry Grand Vizier Jafar vie for a magic lamp that can fulfill their wishes.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Who Framed Roger Rabbit · 1988

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

MovieFantasyAnimation

Toon star Roger is worried that his wife Jessica is playing pattycake with someone else, so the studio hires detective Eddie Valiant to snoop on her. But the stakes are quickly raised when Marvin Acme is found dead and Roger is the prime suspect.

Madagascar

Madagascar · 2005

MovieAdventureAnimation

Four animal friends get a taste of the wild life when they break out of captivity at the Central Park Zoo and wash ashore on the island of Madagascar.

Atlantis: Milo's Return

Atlantis: Milo's Return · 2003

Atlantis: Milo's Return

MovieFantasyAnimation

Milo and Kida reunite with their friends to investigate strange occurances around the world that seem to have links to the secrets of Atlantis.

Asterix in Britain

Asterix in Britain · 1986

Asterix in Britain

MovieFamilyAnimation

One little ancient British village still holds out against the Roman invaders. Asterix and Obelix are invited to help. They must face fog, rain, warm beer and boiled boar with mint sauce, but they soon have Governor Encyclopaedius Britannicus's Romans declining and falling. Until a wild race for a barrel of magic potion lands them in the drink.

The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book · 1967

The Jungle Book

MovieFamilyAnimation

The boy Mowgli makes his way to the man-village with Bagheera, the wise panther. Along the way he meets jazzy King Louie, the hypnotic snake Kaa and the lovable, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, who teaches Mowgli "The Bare Necessities" of life and the true meaning of friendship.

The Sword in the Stone

The Sword in the Stone · 1963

The Sword in the Stone

MovieAnimationFamily

Wart is a young boy who aspires to be a knight's squire. On a hunting trip he falls in on Merlin, a powerful but amnesiac wizard who has plans for him beyond mere squiredom. He starts by trying to give him an education, believing that once one has an education, one can go anywhere. Needless to say, it doesn't quite work out that way.

The Lion King

The Lion King · 1994

MovieAnimationFamily

Young lion prince Simba, eager to one day become king of the Pride Lands, grows up under the watchful eye of his father Mufasa; all the while his villainous uncle Scar conspires to take the throne for himself. Amid betrayal and tragedy, Simba must confront his past and find his rightful place in the Circle of Life.

Asterix vs. Caesar

Asterix vs. Caesar · 1985

Asterix vs. Caesar

MovieComedyAnimation

Obelix falls for a new arrival in his home village in Gaul, but is heartbroken when her true love arrives to visit her. However, the lovers are kidnapped by Romans; Asterix and Obelix set out to rescue them on a dangerous journey that will involve gladiators, slavers and beauracracy - and a personal encounter with the Emperor himself, Julius Caesar...

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter